PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikoli Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and curtis enis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). enis has chosen lostprophets - shinobi vs dragon ninja as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Popov
vs
enis

190 cm
24
214 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

191 cm
19
215 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikoli Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, curtis enis!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov moves into the clinch successfully.
enis wants a takedown but no success here.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Popov connects with a nasty looking knee right to enis's face.

It looks like curtis enis has been cut.
A knee to the head by Popov.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but enis blocks with his arms.
enis is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
enis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Popov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nikoli Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of curtis enis.
enis tries to pull guard but Popov won't allow it.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
enis fails to pull guard.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but enis blocks with his arms.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
enis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Popov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but enis blocks with his arms.
enis tries to score a body lock takedown but Popov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but enis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popov with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
enis works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
enis wants a takedown but no success here.
Knees to the body from Popov.
enis missing with knees to the body.
enis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

enis works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

enis stands up from Popov's guard - enis perhaps looking for a knockout.
enis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov throws a nice head kick!

Popov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Popov connects with a nasty looking knee right to enis's face.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but enis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popov crunches a lovely knee into enis's ribcage.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Popov prevents the takedown attempt.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Popov lands with a light punch inside.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
enis can't break the clinch.
Popov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Popov is looking to control enis's arms but enis gets an underhook and turns him. Now Popov has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
enis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but enis blocks with his arms.
enis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
enis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
enis misses with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Popov.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
enis throws an elbow that misses.
enis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
enis landing knees to the head.
Popov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but enis blocks with his arms.
Popov wants to stall.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but enis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
enis tries for a takedown but Popov manages to get underhooks.
Popov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through enis's defenses.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but enis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
enis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Popov walks away with a smile on his face. enis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Popov tries to close the distance and clinch up but enis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Popov wants to clinch.
Popov tries to clinch up.
Popov is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikoli Popov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on curtis enis's cut.
That's time! Popov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Popov closes the distance and clinches.
enis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Popov walks away with a smile on his face. enis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
enis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Popov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten enis somewhat.
enis darts in trying to clinch

and Popov counters by clinching up.

enis gets a trip takedown into half guard.
enis tries to pass to full mount but Popov defends it.
Popov pushes enis off looking to stand but enis dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Popov trying to control but enis postures up.
enis is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

enis is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Popov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Popov is trying to control but can't.

Popov kicks off enis and gets to his feet.
curtis enis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popov wants to clinch up but enis keeps it at a distance.
enis looks to clinch

and Popov counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
enis fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nikoli Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of curtis enis.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but enis blocks it with crossed arms.
enis tries to score a body lock takedown but Popov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
enis looking for a takedown.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but enis blocks it with crossed arms.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Popov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
enis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but enis blocks it with crossed arms.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
enis trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov misses with a knee strike.

enis has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Popov regains guard immediately.
enis won't allow Popov to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
enis advances to half guard.

Popov pushes enis off and gets back to his feet.
enis swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Popov counters by clinching up.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Popov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
enis trying to control the position but instead, Popov has worked for underhooks and has pushed enis into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Popov.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short right from enis.
enis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Popov just stands there and leans against the cage.
enis has Popov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A knee to the head by Popov.
enis misses with a punch on the inside.
Popov pushes enis back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
enis with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
enis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
enis tries for a takedown but Popov manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikoli Popov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on curtis enis's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

enis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Popov moves into the clinch.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but enis blocks it with crossed arms.
Popov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
enis wants a takedown.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
enis wants a takedown.
Nikoli Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of curtis enis.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
enis jumps guard but Popov stands there with enis around his waist. enis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
enis is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Popov unloads a knee to the mid-section. enis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Popov has enis pushed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
enis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Popov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Popov misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Popov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but enis is keeping busy.
Popov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. enis is defending well for now.
Popov looking to stall.
Popov tries a knee to the head but enis blocks it.
Popov gets underhooks to prevent enis's takedown attempt.
Popov controlling the action here for a moment.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Popov stops a takedown attempt from enis.

enis gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Popov regains guard.
Popov wants to improve his position but instead enis has moved into half guard.
Popov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

enis is working for a kimura but Popov is defending it quite comfortably.

Popov kicks off enis and gets to his feet.

Popov has enis up against the cage in a clinch.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but enis blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but enis is blocking nicely.
Popov connects with a knee to the head.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
enis managing to block the knees to the body from Popov.
Popov throws an elbow but it misses.
enis lands with a left to the head.
enis is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by enis.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.

enis gets control of Popov's arms and successfully pulls guard. enis will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
enis looking for a sweep. Not yet enis, not yet.
Popov trying to control the position from guard on top but enis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popov preventing the sweep.
curtis enis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Popov postures up in enis's guard and throws a big left but enis blocks it.
enis wants to get back to his feet but Popov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
enis keeping full guard, as Popov tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikoli Popov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Popov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikoli Popov!